West wins All-Star Celebrity Game; Hart bags fourth MVP

BY Lang Whitaker

Kevin Hart nabbed his fourth straight NBA All-Star Celebrity Game MVP as the West defeated the East Friday night.

NEW YORK — The NBA got its first glimpse at a post-Duncan future.

In last year's Celebrity Game, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan dominated, posting 20 points, 11 rebounds and six assists. After fans voted Kevin Hart the game's MVP despite finishing with just seven points and four assists, Hart gave the award to Duncan.

This year, the West knocked off the Hart's East squad 57-51. But with Secretary Duncan out recovering from injury, the game's MVP was once again Hart, although this time the game's best player may have been something of a ringer.

"We definitely turned it up in the second half," said the West's Ansel Elgort. "Skylar [Diggans] played really well for us. You know, give the ball to the professional athlete and get out of the way."

Early on, Hart and Little League star Mo'Ne Davis battled one-on-one, in a matchup that appeared to pit equals -- well, at least their heights -- against each other. Hart managed to get to the basket often, and finished with 15 points in 29 minutes. Hart's signature play may have happened halfway through the third quarter, when he battled Arcade Fire lead singer Win Butler for a rebound and nearly flipped the much taller Butler. Atlanta Dream guard Shoni Schimmel added 17 for the East.

The West presented a balanced attack, with 13 apiece from Diggans and Grizzlies owner Robert Pera, as well as eight each from Butler, Hall of Famer Chris Mullin and actor Jesse Williams, who left the game early after suffering what appeared to be a leg injury. Pera was the game's leading scorer at the half, with eight points on 4-for-5 shooting. Pera, 36, has never been shy of promoting his love for the game, once publicly challenging Tony Allen to a game of one-on-one.

Following the game, Hart announced his retirement. "It's my fourth MVP," he said. "I can't do no more."